Timothy II - Expositional Study
THE PASSING DAYS TILL THE PERFECT DAY
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (KJV)
Introduction
This phrase is so characteristic of the apostle Paul. The thought was constantly on his mind. As we read his correspondence, we note how frequently it comes up. Sometimes he deals with it specifically; sometimes it seems to just slip out. In this short epistle, he has three references to the matter: 1:12, 1:18, and 4:8. So, for him, the passing days are shaped and colored by the thought of the coming perfect day. In view of the latter, he counsels his young son in the faith to be not ashamed.
"Be not ashamed". Why? Because Paul always practices what he preaches, he says in verse 12, "I am not ashamed". After all, unless we are poor Christians, what is there for a Christian to be ashamed of? In truth, it is a matchless honor to be a Christian. In one of the Italian wars of many years ago, the recruiting band was marching through villages, gathering young volunteers, who, with their weapons, fell in at the end of the procession. At one place, an elderly woman, stirred by the martial music, went hurriedly back into her house. She had no sword, no gun, only a broomstick. With that, she joined the march. Her fellow-villagers laughed. What could this silly old woman do for the war? She hurled at them her spirited reply, "I don't care so long as you know whose side I'm on." Even if we have nothing but a broomstick to contribute to the cause of Christ, let us bring that, so there will be no question of our allegiance, and all may know that we are undoubtedly and unashamedly, His.
As for Timothy, shall he be ashamed of the Master he served? "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord." There is, as here, our testimony of Him. In these days, He is "despised and rejected of men", but in "that day", He shall be praised by everyone. How easy it will be to honor Him then; but, how infinitely better to honor Him now, in the days of His rejection. We all have some testimony to give concerning Him. Does he mean something to you; something that you long to share with others? Is He not a Savior so complete; a Master so amazing; a Friend so altogether wonderful? Speak out, not what you have read in a book, but, what you yourself have experienced of Him in your own heart, "I have found Him to be..."
On the other hand, there is His testimony concerning us. To give our testimony in these days will lead us on to receive His testimony in that day. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven...Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father" (Matt. 10:32; Mark 8:38). Such is His own assurance. We should not forget that we may have some testimony from Him even now. Consider Enoch, "before his translation, he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Heb. 11:5). Do you have this testimony – that you please God?
Ashamed of Jesus! that dear Friend
Of whom my hopes of heaven depend!
No, when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere His name.
And, oh, may this my glory be,
That Christ is not ashamed of me.
Well then, shall he be ashamed of the man he loved – "Nor of me His prisoner"? Time was when Timothy held Paul as his hero, as well as his father in the faith, when he was proud beyond words to be seen in his company, to be counted among his helpers. Is all this to be altered now that Paul has been thrown into prison, and under social disgrace? No a thousand times. Apart altogether from the spiritual bond and the mutual affection between them, this Paul who is so now dishonored by men, will in that day be seen to be held in high honor in heaven. Shall Timothy be ashamed of one "whom the King delighteth to honor" (Esth. 6:6)? But, let us pursue the thought in a different direction. There is sometimes a subtle temptation to despise a believer: on a lower social scale, who has a mental problem, who is not as "out-and-out" for the Lord as we imagine ourselves to be, who is physically maladjusted. Probably, many of these humbler and afflicted brethren are going to have a high place in the hereafter, and we may be happier in that day if we have not been ashamed of them in these days. But, to go back to the prisoner, how great a privilege shall we count it to have been in the companion of God's prisoners who dwell and have dwelled around us. Surely, Timothy was never ashamed of his great leader, in prison or out.
Then, shall he be ashamed of his message? Need he blush to think that he should ever have preached such things? His message is here declared to be a "gospel" – not "good advice", but, "good news." What people want and need is good news, the "good news"! Notice, this begins with the bad news pronouncement that each one of us is a guilty sinner, and ends with the announcement of His gracious grace, His good news!
Note in our text how the Gospel is described. First, it is nearly connected with "power". As Paul explained in Romans 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth". The word he uses for "power" is that from which the English word "dynamite" comes. The dynamite of man is unto destruction, but the dynamite of God is unto salvation. How immensely powerful is this Gospel. Simply because we often miss the "power", does not mean the "power" is no longer in the Gospel, but it does mean that we have lost the knowledge of how to use it. Afraid of handling the dynamite, we use soft-soap instead!
Next, we observe that through this Gospel He "hath saved us". It includes three things, regarding the guilt and penalty of sin, "ye are saved (Eph. 2:5); being free from sin, "us which are saved" (1 Cor. 1:18); being saved from the ultimate connection with sin, "now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (Rom. 13:11) – we hasten on toward sin's complete and final expulsion. What a salvation! What a Gospel! Who could be ashamed of it? The Gospel does not bring negative blessings. Its positive side is that we are "called with an holy calling". If, as Christians, we are failing to live a holy life, we are gravely disappointing one of the primal reasons of our redemption, namely, that we should be "conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom. 8:29). How sadly blameworthy we sometimes are. How little like Him. In that coming perfect day we shall be perfectly "like Him" (1 John 3:2). Oh, that in these last days we might be more like Him!
Lastly, this description of the Gospel committed to Timothy, to Paul, and us makes it clear that its blessing comes, "not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace." There is still a multitude of people who think that acceptance by God is secured by their own merit. That entrance to heaven is gained by their personal good works. The New Testament insistently combats this self-flattering idea! Although salvation is, "unto good works" (commits its recipients to a subsequent practical Christianity), yet, it is not "of works". In other words, our works cannot win it. His finished work for us must first be accepted, "by faith", i.e., obedient faith, and then our continual works for Him must follow, as the mark of our gratitude and the fruit of our love. All comes of "His purpose and grace". Because of His infinite grace, He conceived the loving purpose of salvation. When did He come by that purpose?
Notice how the Gospel was prepared: "Before the world began. It was not a sudden whim of the Almighty. It was "prepared before the face (existence) of all people" (Luke 2:31): before sin happened; before sinners came; before the sinner's world was! Before all this, salvation was planned and drawn up by God. The Lamb, Who is the Plan, "was foreordained before the foundation of the world" (1 Pet. 1:20). The word, "foundation", means "the architect's plan". He had the conception of His kingdom in mind; then He drew up the plan. He designed it with His thoughts on the needs of all those who come to inhabit it. Our text suggests that the Architect of the Universe, first conceived, and then planned, His kingdom for the habitation of man. All the while, His mind dwelt on their needs. In other words, our Father saw us in His mind, as if we were already an occupant, "According to the foreknowledge" (1 Pet. 1:2). The Architect knew that the chief need would be for the provision of a way of dealing with sin, so it was put down in His plan. Even before sin, there was the grace of God. In the course of time, God's Plan was put into effect, and, as our text says, "is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ."
Hebrews 9:24 speaks of three appearances: "He hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself"; He has gone back into heaven, "now to appear in the presence of God for us"; and "He shall appear the second time...unto salvation". It is the first of these that the passage we are now studying refers, i.e., the time when He was "manifested" in the unfolding of history as the Eternal and Almighty Plan of Salvation. Further, notice how the Gospel is exemplified, how one example is given of the mighty things that the Gospel gives us to declare, dealing with death. In Romans 6:23, it is described as, "the wages of sin." So, it follows, that if God deals completely with sin, it must somehow affect the fact of death.
Two things are indicated – one negative: He hath "abolished death". Hebrews 2:14, says, "through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil". 'Abolish', 'destroy', i.e., the same word in the Greek; and its real meaning is, not to do away with altogether, but, 'to render harmless', as one might disarm an unexploded bomb, making it harmless and robbing it of its sting (death), so that Paul could say, "O death, where is thy sting? (1 Cor. 15:55). In that perfect day, death, like sin, shall be utterly and finally done away. Yet, in these last days, death has been robbed of its sting, and need no longer be feared by Christians. The other – positive: He "hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel". Perhaps this would be better translated, "...brought out into the light... ". In other words, it was once so dim but now is so different. It is interesting to reflect that some kind of belief in an after-life is found in every race of men throughout the world.
Often it is crude, but it is there. That explains the curious burial customs among some people. For instance, burying: of furniture, a wife, a house, food, etc., to meet their presumed need beyond the tomb. But, it is all so dim. When you come to the Old Testament, you find many references, yet, even there we are still moving in the dusk. Then, the Savior is "manifested". He dies; is buried; and raised by God. In that glorious resurrection the blessed fact of blissful immortality was "brought out into light." What a Gospel is committed to Timothy, and to us! How could we ever be ashamed of it, or Him, or His people?
Two ways run throughout this life, as the Lord shows us in Matthew 7:13-14. On one side are the few, who are humble and live in a narrow fashion. Do they sometimes have a feeling of shame, when they look at the other side, with great crowds pressing through the wide-open gate, seemingly enjoying freedom and liberty? The wide road goes to destruction, the narrow to life! Where is shame? Let the Christian rather lift up his head in proper pride – not in his own merit, not in his own achievement, but in the grace-given, God-given, privilege that has placed him amid the glorious company of God's elect. In the storm, Paul confesses, "God, whose I am and whom I serve" (Acts 27:23). These are the words of the proudest man on board. Julius was also proud; for he belonged to Imperial Rome and served the great Emperor. Yet, he is not as conscious of dignity and privilege or so humble in himself or so proud in God as his prisoner.
The Lord warns His disciples, "lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping" (Mark 13:36). Paul now offers himself and his experience as a guiding illustration to his spiritual son and successor. He had a work to do. He speaks of "the gospel, whereunto I am appointed", or, as he puts it in Romans 1:1, he is "separated unto the gospel." Having accepted the Gospel, he was, therefore, committed to the service of the Gospel, but, he was not peculiar in that, for every Christian is, by Royal Appointment, in the King's service, "to every man his work" (Mark 13:34). There is something for us all! That great day must not catch us unaware, slothful, or slumbering. One of our songs says, "Work for the night is coming...Work for the day is coming." Either way, work!
Paul is our example in that he had a zeal for it. He did not do his work because he thought he ought to; or because he had to. Quite obviously he reveled in it, and never dreamed of slackening up. He was always at it; "a preacher – an apostle – a teacher of the Gentiles". Paul was always preaching and teaching. What an impression we get of ceaseless, tireless activity. How utterly amazed this zealous warrior would be at some of us, today, who appear to be only 'arm-chair' Christians. Enthusiasm among some Christians seems to be a service that is becoming rare.
Paul also lets us know, that he had a price to pay. "For the which cause I suffer these things." When, more than usual, we find ourselves becoming religiously comfortable we should turn to the passage in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, where Paul details some of the things he endured for Christ. Very rarely can a Christian read these verses without being greatly moved and deeply shamed. It really did cost something to be the type of Christian worker Paul was. Whether we will be called to suffer physically or not, no one can say. But, we will be challenged to an expenditure of: time, money, energy, thought, ambition, and self. Paul does not want Timothy, or us, to forget that all-out Christian service always involves a big price. How could anyone ever forget Paul's mangled, tortured, and supposedly dead body on the roadside by the gates of Lystra (Acts 14:19). We do well to remember that he had a goal in view. "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed" (Rom. 8:18). Here is the secret. It was the thought of the perfect day that enabled him to endure the hardships of the passing days – the last days. In the light of "that day", he was eager to serve, and ready to suffer. His goal brightens even his goal. As each of us, Timothy was to keep his eye on that day.
Now let us consider one further characteristic Paul emphasizes in view of this upward and onward look. We need not be adrift. In Timothy's day, as in ours, there are many temptations to drift: cutting ourselves from our spiritual mooring; loosening our hold on spiritual realities; letting go of the anchor of faith; drifting into calmer, but illegitimate waters, hoping to escape the buffetings of a more adventurous Christian life.
Paul reminds Timothy of the other side of the matter, and, still using his own experience as an example, says that the believer is kept. This is one of those things about which Paul is "persuaded." There are things for which it is legitimate for different people to have contrary views. The university-trained scholar in Paul would make him the last one to deny anyone the right to a difference of opinion. But, on some points, he was magnificently dogmatic. As far as Paul is concerned, things revealed by God are not up for question or opinion. Today, with our free and easy attitude, it is almost a crime against good taste to profess to be sure and certain about anything. Paul's forthright dogmatism has a tonic quality, "though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). There is iron in that! Even the gentle John is equally certain when occasion demanded; "we know" is one of the characteristics of his first epistle, which, incidentally, was written in order "that ye may know" (v. 13). To John it was not enough to think, or hope; he wanted us to rest upon God's Word, so we will know for sure. Paul was certain that God is "able to keep" those whom He has proved Himself "able to save".
The storms of life might strain his cordage, tugging at his anchor, but Christians need not go adrift because God can and will hold us steadfast and sure. But, only if the Christian is committed to God. "That which I have committed unto Him" is the condition, and limit, of His 'keeping power'. When staying at a hotel, there is often a visible notice that says, "The Management will not be responsible for the safety of any valuables unless they are placed in the custody of the Hotel safe." The safe is "able to keep", but only if the valuables are committed unto it. If they are committed to the safe, they are kept safe until that day when they are wanted. Likewise, if we commit ourselves to Him, He will keep us gloriously safe "against that day" when He shall take up the redeemed to be with Him forever. The metaphor is plain. A man has a treasure. He is afraid of losing it, being doubtful of his own power to keep it safe. He looks about for a reliable person, with trusted hands, to keep it for him. When found, he deposits it there. Who is infallibly trustworthy? The Lord Jesus Christ! Here is the reason for this complete assurance: "I know whom I have believed ..." The rest naturally follows. It cannot always be said that a Christian knows: when, where, which, whether, whither, or why. But, he does know Whom! That is the essential, supreme knowledge.
Consider another apostle's farewell message to his friends – "Grow in...the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). We should all progress from our first introduction to Him, through all the intermediate stages, toward that intimacy with Him, which He so graciously and wondrously, allows. Can it be said of us that we are thick with the Almighty? Always remember Enoch, who, in spite of all the human difficulties of family and public life, and, in the face of all opposing factors, "walked with God" (Jude 15), until the day when, as a little Irish girl explained, "He went so far that God said, 'It's getting late, you better come home with Me'." To know Him is to desire to commit ourselves entirely to Him, and, to be thoroughly persuaded that He is able to keep our deposit safe, "against that day."
Conclusion
Yes, in this section "that day" has been at the back of our thinking. Paul would counsel us to have the thought both in the background and foreground. He says as much to his other young helper, Titus, when writing that "we should live...looking" (2:12-13). Do you know what it means to live through the passing days, the last days, with an eye on that perfect day to come? Sometimes folks keep a piece of paper on which is written a series of numbers, say 50, 49, 48, 47, and so on. It represents the number of days left until Christmas, a birthday, or some holiday. As each night comes, a day will be scored through; until the happy day. The person "lived ... looking". And what of those wounded in war; who have been told they were to be brought home? Each day becomes one day nearer the day. That thought helped them with the difficulties of the passing days, they "lived...looking". It is the Christian's: wisdom, joy, inspiration, and comfort, to look at everything in life as up "against that day".
